Skip Menu

Return to Skip Menu

Main Content

Center for Innovation in Learning




XCaliber Award

for exceptional, high caliber contributions
to technology-enriched teaching and learning.

 

Request Nominations

Deadline: January 26, 2010

 

Background of the XCaliber Award  |  Nomination Process

Previous XCaliber Award Recipients

 

 

Background

Established in 1996 by the Office of the Provost, the XCaliber Award (shorthand for exceptional, high-caliber contributions to technology-enriched learning activities) is presented annually by the Center for Innovation in Learning. The XCaliber recognizes faculty, graduate teaching assistants, and teams (faculty/ staff/ students) who have made significant contributions to integrating technology in teaching and learning in a course or in a significant technology-enriched project.

The XCaliber celebrates innovative approaches to teaching with technology that are exemplars of student-centered pedagogy. Faculty, GTAs, and associated staff must be teaching or interacting in technology-enriched learning environments to be eligible for this award:  their activities should employ strategies that foster active learning and engagement. Recipients receive a cash award and a commemorative plaque and are called upon to demonstrate their award-winning activities with their colleagues.

 

 

Nomination Process

The nomination process consists of two stages: an initial process requiring submission of a brief nomination form; then, finalists will be invited to submit a nomination packet to the selection committee.

Stage One begins immediately and continues through January 26, 2010. Nominations are requested from faculty, students, staff and administrators; self-nominations are also encouraged.

To nominate an individual faculty member or graduate teaching assistant or a team (faculty/ staff/ students), please complete the brief nomination form by January 26, 2010.

Stage Two begins on  January 29, 2010. On that date, finalists will be asked to submit an application packet to the selection committee by February 15, 2010. Award winner(s) will be recognized at the annual faculty/staff awards ceremony early in the fall semester.

 

Summary of Timeline

Stage One Nominations Due: January 26, 2010

Stage Two Submission Due: February 15, 2010

Winners recognized: Fall 2010

 

Responsible Persons

Anne H. Moore, chair, & center advisory board

 

For more information, please contact:

Anne H. Moore
Learning Technologies
3210 Torgersen Hall

(540) 231-2309; ahmoore@vt.edu

 

 

Mission  |  History of the Center  |  Previously Awarded CIL Grants

Milestones  |  Associated Projects  |  Contact Information

 

 

Mission

To achieve the learning outcomes that describe independent, critically thinking and technologically literate learners across content areas:

 

  • active learning
  • interactive communication
  • more self-directed, self-paced learning
  • technology literacy integrated with content
  • electronic access to course materials and supplemental resources
  • electronic access to course information, announcements, news

 

By strategically targeting areas of the curriculum for development, the university can realize more efficient and effective use of human, physical and financial resources. Communities of scholars and instructional development faculty and staff can form to develop, assess and communicate the results of their activities. Opportunities exist for cost-sharing across parts of the university on strategic activities. Research on teaching and learning can accompany online course development more systematically. New uses of space and technology for experimentation and development of new approaches to teaching and learning can emerge. Outreach to other learning communities can grow strategically as well.

 

 

History of the Center

In keeping with strategic directions of the university, the Center encouraged the development of technology-assisted teaching and learning materials and activities, through a competitive grant process. From 1997 - 2003, the center awarded over $3 million to more than 120 projects focused on technology-assisted learning.

 

Milestones

Milestones 96/97: Organized the center; secured funding for first year's activities; appointed first advisory board; awarded first grants for course development in high demand core curriculum areas; developed an Advanced Learning Center (a learning laboratory in mathematics, as the first highly experimental activity); communicated about center activities to internal and external audiences; held seminars on integrating instructional technology in teaching and learning; made first award for online course development.

Milestones 97/98: Courses developed in high demand, core curriculum courses (Arts and Sciences, Biological Sciences Initiative, Architecture, Agriculture, Engineering, Forestry, Human Resources and Education); origination classrooms for extended campus learning developed in three more locations for easy access across university; presentation classrooms developed in 13 new locations according to faculty needs.

Milestones 98/99: Development grants extended to include distance learning programs and learning modules.

Milestones 99/00: IDLE modules and ITMA program were completed.

Milestones 00/01: Development grants extended to include MIT distance learning program.

 

 

 

 

Contact Information

Anne H. Moore
Learning Technologies
3210 Torgersen Hall

(540) 231-2309; ahmoore@vt.edu